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Five Memorable Moments That the Old Motera Stadium Witnessed

The new Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is ready to host the first international game after the renovation. There are some great features in this new stadium. It is the largest cricket stadium in the world as it has a capacity of 1,10,000 people. Earlier the Melbourne Cricket Ground had the highest capacity with 1,00,000 people but this stadium has gone past that number. Some domestic matches were played at this venue as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts were played in this stadium.

The third Test match between India and England which is also a Pink Ball Test will take place at this venue. Even though a full crowd is not allowed, 50% of the crowd will be allowed for the third Test. This new stadium will see some great games as Ahmedabad has seen a lot of memorable moments even in the old stadium. So, on that note, let’s have a look at five memorable moments of Indian cricket history the Old Motera witnessed.

5. Sunil Gavaskar completed 10,000 runs in Test cricket

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar who has played 125 test matches for India had a special moment at the Old Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad as he became the first cricketer in the world to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

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India was playing Pakistan in 1987 at this stadium and Sunil Gavaskar scored 63 runs in the first innings which helped him reach this special landmark. He was not only the first Indian cricketer but also the only cricketer in the world at that point to score 10,000 Test runs. It was an incredible achievement that took place at the Old Motera Stadium.

4. Kapil Dev went past Sir Richard Hadlee

Kapil Dev who was the first Indian captain to win the World Cup too had a special moment at the Old Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. India was playing Sri Lanka in 1994 when Kapil Dev picked up the wicket of HP Tillakaratne which turned out to be his 432nd Test wicket and he went past Sir Richard Hadlee.

Sir Richard Hadlee was the first cricketer to reach 400 Test wickets and to go past him was a great achievement for the Indian all-rounder. This memorable moment took place at the Old Motera against Sri Lanka.

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3. Sachin Tendulkar scored his first double hundred 

Sachin Tendulkar had been a superstar but he wasn’t able to score a double hundred in Test cricket. He was averaging around 55 and he had got close on a couple of occasions but couldn’t manage to cross the hurdle of 200.

India was playing New Zealand at this venue when Tendulkar managed to cross the double hundred landmark for the first time. Tendulkar scored 217 off 344 balls against New Zealand in 1999 at this special stadium and he finished with six double hundreds in his Test career.

2. Sachin Tendulkar completed his 20 years in international cricket 

Sachin Tendulkar who made his international debut way back in 1989 against Pakistan completed 20 years in international cricket on 16 November 2009 against Sri Lanka at the Old Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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It is a great achievement for any player to complete two decades in this sport. Tendulkar also reached the special landmark of 30,000 international runs in that game. He finished with more than 34,000 international runs in his career.

1. Sachin Tendulkar became the first-ever cricketer to score 18,000 ODI runs and India defeated Australia in the Quarter Final

In the 2011 World Cup, India was up against the defending champions Australia in the Quarter Final at the Old Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. Australia batted first and set a target of 261 for India to reach the semi-final. Tendulkar scored 53 off 68 balls and became the first-ever cricketer to reach the milestone of 18,000 OD runs.

Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina had a great partnership as India went to chase the target with five wickets in hand. India defeated Australia in the quarter-final and reached the semi-final for the first time since 2003. It was a great moment for Sachin Tendulkar and the Indian team at the Old Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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Shubham K

I am currently studying Computer Engineering at SVNIT Surat. I am a big cricket fan and like writing about Cricket.

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